Interpretive Summary: The USDA-ARS breeding program at Byron is developing peach varieties for the Southeast. Peach breeding selections must be tested in several locations because of differences in climate and weather in order to gauge their potential as new varieties. In cooperation with growers in South Carolina, advanced selections from the USDA-ARS Byron breeding program are currently under test in 2 states. One site is in the Piedmont and the other on the Ridge near Edgefield. Results from 2002 show several selections to have potential to replace existing commercial varieties. Additional years of testing are needed to be sure these will perform well.

Technical Abstract:
Peach breeding selections must be tested in several locations in order to gauge their potential value as new varieties. In cooperation with growers in South Carolina, advanced selections from the USDA-ARS Byron breeding program are currently under test in 2 sites. Results from 2002 show several selections to have potential to replace existing commercial varieties. Additional years of testing are needed to be sure these will perform well in a variety of different years, due to the large differences in weather from year to year.